ST. PAUL  — Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton is scheduled to undergo elective back surgery today at Mayo Clinic in Rochester.

Dayton spokesman Matt Swenson said the procedure is similar to one the governor underwent three years ago, which fused two vertebrae in his lower back.

In a statement, Dayton said he looks forward to a full recovery, as he experienced before.

The procedure is expected to last two to three hours.

Dayton expects to resume his regular schedule the following week.